Skip to main content

93 Million Cellular PC Modem Upside in 2010

Wireless network modem shipments in 2009 topped 72 million units, a significant growth over the 46.4 million units shipped during 2008. According to the latest market study by ABI Research, both volumes pale in comparison with the expected 93 million units expected to ship in 2010.

The overwhelming majority of these modems are found in the USB dongle form factor rather than embedded in their host devices. "Many new mobile broadband networks are being deployed right now," says ABI Research principal analyst Jeff Orr.

The HSPA and HSPA+ protocols, as well as 4G WiMAX and LTE, are luring new broadband service subscribers who want their existing computing and communications devices to be enabled for those networks.

Orr adds, "We find that new computer sales with embedded modem modules are being adopted between 9 and 12 months after the new network services launch, while USB modems are an immediate upgrade opportunity."

ABI practice director Kevin Burden says, "The USB modem is the most efficient, lowest cost, quickest and easiest way to take any wireless device online in the widest range of locations. It's a familiar interface, compact, easy to carry, and convenient."

ABI sees the USB modem continuing to provide strong growth to this segment for the medium-term at least. Chinese vendors have been making deep inroads in this market, making the most of their high-volume, low overhead manufacturing capabilities.

Indeed they have been so successful that last quarter one European vendor, the Belgian firm Option Wireless, asked the EC to investigate possible dumping within its member states. According to ABI, that investigation is still in progress.

Popular posts from this blog

Trends Shaping the Global Smartphone Market

There is a pivotal shift within the global smartphone market. Recent data from IDC highlights a more cautious outlook for 2025, with projected worldwide smartphone shipments seeing a significantly reduced growth rate. This revised forecast underscores the intricate interplay of global economic factors and geopolitical dynamics on pervasive personal communication devices. IDC's latest update projects a mere 0.6 percent growth in worldwide smartphone shipments for 2025, a stark reduction from the earlier 2.3 percent expectation. Global Smartphone Market Development This recalibration is largely attributed to prevailing economic uncertainties, including inflationary pressures and rising unemployment, alongside the persistent specter of tariff volatility. Despite these global tensions, it's interesting to note that the United States and China are still identified as the primary drivers of this modest growth. China, a critical market, is forecast to achieve a 3 percent year-over-yea...